Engaged Citizens. Innovative Ideas.

WE INVITE YOU TO VISIT OUR CO-CREATED ADEI RESOURCE LIBRARY!

We know and believe that “Black History Month” is not only for February. FutureHeights is committed to utilizing a lens of Anti-Racism Diversity Equity and Inclusion (ADEI) in our work each and every day. We are forever on a quest to continue our education, both individually (as a staff member, board member, or committee member) and collectively.

As part of that process, our Community & Civic Engagement Committee (CCEC) is curating this resource library through input from the FutureHeights family and through our community partners, friends, and neighbors.  If you have a suggestion for an addition to the library, please click here and complete this form or email Sarah at swolf@futureheights.org.

If you are interested in joining CCEC, please email Sarah – swolf@futureheights.org.

 

ACCESS THE ADEI RESOURCE LIBRARY HERE!

 

If you have any questions or feedback about this resource library, please reach out to Sarah – swolf@futureheights.org.

Our first topic for our 2024 round of the Crowdsourced Conversation forum series is “Living Less Car-Centric in the Heights.”  The survey on this topic will be conducted electronically from March 1 through March 31, 2024.

Click here to complete the survey.

NEED ASSISTANCE COMPLETING THIS SURVEY? Heights residents interested in participating in the survey who don’t have online access at home are able to utilize computers for no charge at any branch of Heights Libraries during their standard hours (more info here) or by appointment at the FutureHeights office. If you’d like to set up an appointment with FutureHeights, please connect with Sarah – swolf@futureheights.org – or call the office at 216-320-1423 to make arrangements.  If anyone interested in completing the surveys needs additional assistance, please connect with Sarah for accommodations.

How Crowdsourced Conversations flows:

Step One: The Survey!

  • The purpose of our survey is to reach as many Heights stakeholders as possible in order to generate meaningful action-oriented small group discussion questions for our event on the topic.
  • This survey is live March 1-March 31, 2024.

Step Two:  The Data!

  • Once the survey closes, we will generate a report to share the results.  This report will be housed on the FutureHeights website and will be shared with community partners, elected officials, and more.
  • We will also use the survey results to generate small group discussion questions for our Crowdsourced Conversations event on the topic.

Step Three: The Conversation!

  • All Heights residents/stakeholders are encouraged to participate in our Crowdsourced Conversations forum.
  • While there will be brief opening remarks by guest speakers, this forum series emphasizes the small group discussions that are action-oriented and strengths-based.
  • This event will take place during the last week in April 2024

Step Four: The Follow-up! 

  • After our forum night, all event participants will have the opportunity to stay connected to the other members of their small group discussion and will receive electronic copies of the survey report and any other resources utilized during the event.
  • All event participants will also be able to help us co-create a Resource Page on the forum topic that will live on the FutureHeights website.

 

This forum series will be an opportunity to connect with other Heights residents about topics that impact us in a variety of overlapping ways. We hope you can join us for all four conversations! Any questions, connect with Sarah – swolf@futureheights.org.

 

THANK YOU!

The 2024 forum series is being planned in partnership with FutureHeights Community & Civic Engagement Committee, Height Libraries, Home Repair Resource Center, Cleveland Heights Green Team, Heights Bicycle Coalition City of Cleveland Heights Racial Justice Task Force, representatives of Cleveland Heights City Council, and more.  Thank you for the joy, wisdom, and enthusiasm you bring to the table!

 

MORE FORUM DETAILS HERE.

Call for Applicants!

APPLY TO JOIN THE FUTUREHEIGHTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Are you filled with ideas and energy for improving your community? Can you give time and talent to make the Heights an even better place to live?

FutureHeights seeks candidates for its board of directors to fill seats as current members’ terms expire. New board members will serve a three-year term. Applicants should be members of Cleveland Heights or University Heights communities. Applicants should have a vested interest in the organization and the communities it serves and have the time and talent to donate to the success of the organization and its programming. Applications are due by March 1, 2024, and can be found at the link below.

About FutureHeights

FutureHeights is a nonprofit community development corporation whose mission is to facilitate an equitable, prosperous, and vibrant future for Cleveland Heights and University Heights. We work toward this mission through a variety of program areas, including:

· We Care About Housing  Our FutureHomes program (est. 2019) has overseen the purchase, rehab, and sale of over 20 houses in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods with the aim of promoting fair housing practices and increased owner-occupancy rates. We are currently rehabbing our 21st and 22nd homes. The 20 homes completed have resulted in a net gain of almost $3.5 million in home values.

· We Care About Community-Building and Strengths-Based Leadership   We run the Neighborhood Leadership Workshop, the twice-annual Neighborhood Mini-Grants Program (both est. 2015), and the Crowdsourced Conversations Forum Series (est. 2022), all of which serve to empower residents to engage with and improve this community.

· We Care About Economic Development   We organize and staff events that promote Heights businesses such as the Heights Music Hop and Best of the Heights, and assist the City with community engagement on city development projects.

· We Care About Community Voice   We publish and distribute the Heights Observer (est. 2008), a free community newspaper for both Cleveland Heights and University Heights, now celebrating 15 years of service to the Cleveland Heights and University Heights communities. The Heights Observer represents citizen journalism: a place where all stakeholders can share news and opinions about their community.

Board Service Overview

The board is made up of members of the Cleveland Heights and University Heights communities. Board members come from all walks of life, represent all neighborhoods, and bring their various skills, talents, and interests with them to assist the organization.

Board members participate actively by guiding the organization and its programming, providing staff and event support, friend-raising and fundraising, serving on committees, and more. Serving a large and diverse area, the organization’s board and new members should reflect and represent the diversity of that service area. Consideration will be given to ensure that the experiences, backgrounds, neighborhoods, or skills of new members add to the diversity of the organization at-large.

Board service is a great way to meet new neighbors, to support projects in your own backyard, and to give time and talent back to the communities we love calling home.

Help us elevate the Heights!

Applications are due by March 1, 2024, and interviews will be conducted shortly thereafter.

2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPLICATION

All in all in 2023, the Neighborhood Mini-Grant program had its biggest year ever, awarding 21 projects a total of $15,392. On Tuesday, February 6, 2024, we held an evening of story-sharing and celebration where the 2023 award recipients talked about their incredible community-building efforts and initiatives in Cleveland Heights and University Heights. ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD MINI-GRANT PROGRAM: The FutureHeights Neighborhood Mini-Grant award (up to $1,000) is for citizen-led projects that benefit Cleveland Heights and University Heights neighborhoods. The intention of the Neighborhood Mini-Grants program is to offer support to Cleveland Heights and University Heights groups who wish to build community by working together to start or sustain a neighborhood project or initiative. Since 2015, we are proud to have provided mini-grant funding to 95 projects for a total of $65,930 awarded.

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Any questions about the celebration OR the mini-grant program, please connect with Sarah – swolf@futureheights.org.

Click here for more program info.

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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS AND PARTNERS, THE CEDARS LEGACY FUND FOR PROVIDING ONGOING SUPPORT FOR THE MINI-GRANTS PROGRAM.

 

 

There’s no time like the present to bring your dream neighborhood project to life.  The FutureHeights Neighborhood Mini-Grant can offer up to $1,000 in funding for community-building efforts being made by citizen-led projects in Cleveland Heights and University Heights.

Deadline to apply for Spring 2024 is Friday, March 15th.

LINK TO APPLICATION HERE

Learn more about the program here.

Any questions, connect with Sarah – swolf@futureheights.org.

Get ready for Year 3 of our conversation-based forum series that brings Heights residents together to talk about topics that matter to us all.

Voting to determine our 2024 topics took place from December 1, 2023 until January 5, 2024.  We were thrilled to see an increase of 229% in this phase of voting.  Thank you to everyone who filled out a ballot!

The Top 4 Topics are:

  1. Looking at Severance Town Center as a Case Study: How Can Heights Residents Become Meaningfully Involved
  2. Turning the Noble Neighborhood & Business District Into a Destination
  3. Our Public Park
  4. Active Transportation Planning: Living Less Car-Centric in the Heights

Stay tuned for more information about when each topic will be featured in the program.

WE BELIEVE “EVERYDAY RESIDENTS” HOLD IMMENSE POTENTIAL TO GENERATE CHANGE IN THEIR COMMUNITY!

If you are interested in becoming a Crowdsourced Conversations volunteer, please complete this form.

Any questions, kindly connect with Sarah – swolf@futureheights.org.

More program info here.

 

YOU’RE INVITED TO CELEBRATE WITH US!

All in all in 2023, the Neighborhood Mini-Grant program had its biggest year ever, awarding 21 projects a total of $15,392. Join us for an evening of story-sharing and celebration as this year’s award recipients talk about their incredible community-building efforts and initiatives in Cleveland Heights and University Heights.

This event was hosted virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, February 6 starting at 6pm. View it here on YouTube.

ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD MINI-GRANT PROGRAM:

The FutureHeights Neighborhood Mini-Grant award (up to $1,000) is for citizen-led projects that benefit Cleveland Heights and University Heights neighborhoods. The intention of the Neighborhood Mini-Grants program is to offer support to Cleveland Heights and University Heights groups who wish to build community by working together to start or sustain a neighborhood project or initiative. Since 2015, we are proud to have provided mini-grant funding to 95 projects for a total of $65,930 awarded. Check out past projects and learn more when you the Neighborhood Mini-Grants Projects 2023 End of Year report.

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Any questions about the celebration OR the mini-grant program, please connect with Sarah – swolf@futureheights.org.

_______________________

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS AND PARTNERS, THE CEDARS LEGACY FUND FOR PROVIDING ONGOING SUPPORT FOR THE MINI-GRANTS PROGRAM.

 

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5th IS THE LAST DAY TO VOTE!

In 2022, we discussed ways for residents to get more actively involved in Sustainability, Housing and Neighborhood Preservation, Community Safety, and Civic Engagement.  In 2023, we talked about Our Public Schools, Traveling Around Town, Building Community with Renters and Landlords, and Planning and Development in the Heights.

WHAT will be our topics for Crowdsourced Conversations 2024???
That’s where you come in.  When you click the VOTE NOW link,  you’ll find a list of topics nominated by past Crowdsourced Conversations forum attendees.  You are welcome to vote for as many topics as you’d like — but we recommend focusing on the Top 4 that you want to see in next year’s series.

VOTE HERE

Voting is LIVE until the end of the day on Friday, January 5, 2024.  The Top 4 vote-getters will become our 2024 Crowdsourced Conversations forum series. 2024 topics will be announced early in the new year.

More info about Crowdsourced Conversations here.
Any questions, connect with Sarah – swolf@futureheights.org.

THANK YOU to everyone who came out to enjoy the HOP with us on September 23rd!  We’d appreciate hearing your feedback about our event.  Please take a few minutes to fill out a brief survey to let us know about your experience at the Heights Music Hop.  Click here to get started.

 

 

2023 Heights Music Hop – Presented by FutureHeights in Partnership with the City of Cleveland Heights


Celebrating 10 Years!
Saturday, September 23, 10am to 12pm – Noble Gardeners’ Market at Roanoke Noble Gardens

Saturday, September 23, 6pm to 10pm – Cedar Lee Business District

The Annual Heights Music Hop is a one of kind music festival combining great local music with local businesses in Cleveland Heights to support local shopping, businesses, and musicians while promoting the Heights as a great place to live, own a business or visit.

Volunteers Wanted!  If you are interested in the coolest volunteer gig this fall, fill out our 2023 Heights Music Hop Volunteer Form.

Questions about volunteering? Contact Brenda Bailey, bbailey@futureheights.org or call 216-320-1423

Learn more about the venues & the lineups here.

Thanks to everyone who attended our event on Thursday, November 2nd!

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How Crowdsourced Conversations flows:

Step One: The Survey!

  • The purpose of our survey is to reach as many Heights stakeholders as possible in order to generate meaningful action-oriented small group discussion questions for our event on the topic.
  • This survey iss live September 1-September 30, 2023.

Step Two:  The Data!

  • Once the survey closes, we will generate a report to share the results.  This report will be housed on the FutureHeights website and will be shared with community partners, elected officials, and more.
  • We will also use the survey results to generate small group discussion questions for our Crowdsourced Conversations event on the topic.

Step Three: The Conversation!

  • All Heights residents/stakeholders are encouraged to participate in our Crowdsourced Conversations forum.
  • While there will be brief opening remarks by guest speakers, this forum series emphasizes the small group discussions that are action-oriented and strengths-based.
  • This event will take place Thursday, November 2nd from 7pm-8:30pm at the Lee Road Library, Meeting Room A. RSVP here.
    • This event is free to attend and will be in-person only.
    • Each attendee should register separately.
    • If you are returning CC’23 participant, you will be reunited with your group members so you can continue building your connections with them.

Step Four: The Follow-up! 

  • After our forum night, all event participants will have the opportunity to stay connected to the other members of their small group discussion and will receive electronic copies of the survey report and any other resources utilized during the event.
  • All event participants will also be able to help us co-create a Resource Page on the forum topic that will live on the FutureHeights website.

 

This forum series will be an opportunity to connect with other Heights residents about topics that impact us in a variety of overlapping ways. We hope you can join us for all four conversations! Any questions, connect with Sarah – swolf@futureheights.org.

 

THANK YOU!

This forum series is being planned in partnership with FutureHeights Community & Civic Engagement Committee, Reaching Heights, CH-UH Libraries, Home Repair Resource Center, City of Cleveland Heights Racial Justice Task Force, Racial Inequity Repair Committee of Forest Hill Church, Cleveland Heights Green Team, representatives of Cleveland Heights City Council, and more.  Thank you for the joy, wisdom, and enthusiasm you bring to the table!

 

MORE FORUM DETAILS HERE.

The Neighborhood Leadership Workshop Series (NLWS) program invites applicants from Cleveland Heights residents/business owners.  Additionally, for the first time since the program began in 2015, we will also have a few spots for University Heights residents/business owners as well.

Please note: SPACE IN THE PROGRAM IS LIMITED and as of January 2, 2024, this year’s cohort is full!  Interested residents should continue to submit their applications all the way up until the January 12 deadline to be placed on the waitlist, in case a spot opens up.

More program details here.

 


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FutureHeights
2843 Washington Blvd.
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
Phone: 216-320-1423
info@futureheights.org

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